German Anti-Semitism and Nationalism in 1870-1914 Analytical Essay by MichaelDerwent
German Anti-Semitism and Nationalism in 1870-1914
Looks at the many factors that caused the beginnings of anti-Semitism and aggressive nationalism in Germany between 1870 and 1914.
# 149054
| 1,785 words
| 5 sources
| APA
| 2011
| 
Published
on Nov 22, 2011
in
Political Science
(Non-U.S.)
, History
(European - 19th century)
, European Studies
(Race, Class, Gender Issues (incl. Ethnic Minorities))
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Description:
This paper traces the growth of aggressive nationalism from the catalyst of the unification of the German at Versailles in 1871, to the emergence in the mid-19th century of liberal nationalism and to the expansionist ideas of Weltpolitk in the late 19th century. Next, the author relates the growth of anti-Semitism starting with the 1873 depression with propaganda featuring the stereotypical ideas of Jewish money-grabbers, the Volkish movement that led to the exclusion of certain races and religions particularly the Jews and the 1891formation of Pan German League, an ultra-nationalist group focused on imperialism, anti-Semitism and the 'Polish question'. The paper underscores that, during this time Germany could be considered a fairly liberal country as compared to France and Russia, which were more obvious hotbeds of anti-Semitism.
From the Paper:
"There were many strong factors which prohibited the formation of this and which provided resistance to the formation of this German national spirit. The lateness of the industrial revolution in Germany and a lack of a revolution from the Middle classes (1848-49) only served to add to the already visible regional disparities by stunting the ability for the nation to progress naturally."Despite these factors, it can be argued that the seed of a German nationalism which would be recognisable today was planted by the hegemony of the French empire under Napoleon between 1804 and 1814. As occurs so often in history, the disastrous events of this period gave the people a common enemy in which to unite against and therefore for the first time created common ground between German Prince and peasant alike. This spirit of widespread togetherness would remain long after the banishment of Napoleon and would eventually develop into the strong German nationalism we see today. The unity wasn't limited to merely a patriotic Zeitgeist, but was actually manifested in policy, an example being the Zollverein, and institution which led to greatly improved economical unity and which also allowed the great German industrial valleys to be born.
"One form of nationalism to emerge in the mid-19th century was that of liberal nationalism which focused on the achievement of individual liberty of the people."
Sample of Sources Used:
- Hobsbawn, Eric J. 1992, Nations and Nationalism since 1780. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.
- Craig, Gordon A. 1980. Germany 1866 - 1945. Oxford, Oxford University Press
- O, Zimmer. 2003. Nationalism in Europe 1890 - 1940. Palgrave Macmillan
- Poliakov, Leon. 2003. The History of Anti-Semitism. Philadelphia. University of Philadelphia Press
- Pulzer, P. 1988. the Rise of Political Anti-Semitisn in Germany and Austria. 2D rev. Cambridge.
Cite this Analytical Essay:
APA Format
German Anti-Semitism and Nationalism in 1870-1914 (2011, November 22)
Retrieved May 28, 2023, from https://www.academon.com/analytical-essay/german-anti-semitism-and-nationalism-in-1870-1914-149054/
MLA Format
"German Anti-Semitism and Nationalism in 1870-1914" 22 November 2011.
Web. 28 May. 2023. <https://www.academon.com/analytical-essay/german-anti-semitism-and-nationalism-in-1870-1914-149054/>